Rapid pace of development expected for Sibu under SCORE

SIBU town is set to be a major beneficiary of developments under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

While there has apparently been worries among Sibu folk of losing out to other areas such as Bintulu, Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has given his assurance that the State’s largest town, after the cities of Kuching and Miri, is set to further progress thanks to SCORE.

“The state government will not allow Sibu, the third largest town in Sarawak, to waste away into a ghost town,” he is reported as saying.

Pehin Sri Taib pointed out that development in the surrounding areas and Sibu would be inter-dependent.

The new modern township of Sibu Jaya is one example of the significant plans the government has in store to transform Sibu into a major hub within SCORE.

Sibu Jaya’s RM17 million boulevard would link the new township to Lanang Road, the gateway to SCORE and the rest of the state.

SCORE has so far attracted investment of at least RM200 billion.

The report from the New Straits Times:

Taib: Sibu set to progress with Score

SIBU: Sibu is set to progress with all kinds of development in keeping with its location within the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score), Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said here.

He said the state government, through Score, has implemented and earmarked development programmes for the next seven years in the town and nearby areas such as Mukah, Sarikei, Bintangor, Tanjung Manis, Kanowit, Kapit and Belaga.

“The migration of entrepreneurs and local workers to other major towns in the state has instilled worry in the people that Sibu will no longer be developed.

“The state government will not allow Sibu, the third largest town in Sarawak, to waste away into a ghost town,” he said at a dialogue in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration hosted by the Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations and the 35th anniversary celebration of the Sibu United Chinese association here last night.

He said development in Sibu and the surrounding areas is important because they are inter-dependent.

Taib said Score has so far attracted investment of at least RM200 billion, which he believes can reach RM300 billion, adding that the state government had to spend RM20 billion to provide the infrastructure there.

He also said that the “halal” hub in Tanjung Manis near here has the potential to penetrate the international market owing to the stringent halal certification.

“Furthermore, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised Sarawak as being free of animal disease outbreaks. As such, Sarawak is the best place to breed livestock and fish to produce raw material to meet the needs of the halal hub industries,” he said.

Taib said the world halal products market now valued at US$2 trillion (about RM6 trillion) is not confined to Islamic countries but also encompasses the United States and Europe. — BERNAMA